A black history month program goes awry with charges of racism in St. Louis city hall.

Retiring 26th ward alderman Irving Clay accused Mayor Francis Slay of firing a number of African-American city workers and attempting to get rid of two top officials. And he said all of this in front of Slay.

The Tandy Recreation Center was filled with politicians, students and other residents of the Ville neighborhood. Alderman Irving Clay lashed out at Mayor Francis Slay, immediately accusing the Mayor of being racist and saying the city was in a racial crisis.

A visibly angered Mayor Slay sat a few feet from Clay on the stage.

The veteran alderman accused the Mayor of attempting to get rid of Fire Chief Sherman George . Slay ordered an investigation of the fire department, after a number of firefighters were injured on the job.